And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die.

LUKE 7:2KJV
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Luke 7:2 (KJV)

What does Luke 7:2 mean?

Luke 7:2 describes a Roman centurion whose servant, someone he cared about deeply, was gravely ill and close to death. The verse sets the stage for the story by showing the centurion’s concern for his servant’s well-being.

In this scene, Luke, the author, introduces a Gentile military officer living in Capernaum. The centurion is not speaking yet; instead, the verse gives background information about his household. The detail that the servant was "dear unto him" highlights the unusual compassion the centurion felt for someone of lower social status, which is important for understanding the significance of what follows.

The Greek behind Luke 7:2

  • The word translated "servant" is δοῦλος (doulos), which means slave or bondservant. This emphasizes that the person was not just an employee but someone with little social standing or rights.
  • The phrase "dear unto him" comes from the Greek word ἔντιμος (entimos), meaning highly valued or precious. This shows the servant was not just useful to the centurion, but genuinely important to him.
  • The word for "sick" is κακῶς (kakōs), which often means seriously ill or in a bad condition, underlining the severity of the servant’s situation.
  • The phrase "ready to die" uses the Greek word μέλλω (mellō), which carries the sense of being about to do something—in this case, the servant was on the verge of dying, not just ill.

Why Luke 7:2 matters

  • Luke 7:2 makes it clear that the centurion’s concern was not for a family member or equal, but for a servant, which would have been unusual in that culture and sets up the story’s theme of compassion across social boundaries.
  • This verse prepares the reader for the centurion’s later actions, showing that his request for help is motivated by genuine care, not just duty or self-interest.
  • By highlighting the servant’s dire condition, Luke emphasizes the urgency and seriousness of the situation, which helps explain why the centurion seeks out Jesus and why the miracle, when it comes, is so significant.

Where else these words appear

“dear” Greek G1784 · used in 5 verses

  • Luke 14:8 When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him;
  • Philippians 2:29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation:
  • 1 Peter 2:4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,

“die” Greek G5053 · used in 12 verses

  • Matthew 2:19 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,
  • Matthew 22:25 Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother:
  • Mark 9:48 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

“sick” Greek G2560 · used in 16 verses

  • Matthew 4:24 And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.
  • Matthew 17:15 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.
  • Mark 6:55 And ran through that whole region round about, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was.

“centurion's” Greek G1543 · used in 21 verses

  • Matthew 8:5 And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,
  • Acts 10:1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,
  • Acts 24:23 And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him.